Fashion trends I'll never understand

Fashion, in general, is one of those things I'll never fully wrap my mind around.

It baffles me how the fashion industry can have such an overwhelming impact on society, and how brand name products can cost thousands of dollars, even just for a tiny accessory or an unwearable outfit. Even worse, people are actually willing to pay obscene amounts for what looks to me like a normal black dress or an ordinary-looking bag.

What also blows my mind is the outfits displayed on runways - Do real people actually wear them in real life? How come I haven't seen that? Because I would love to see someone walk down the street in masks that cover their eyes, bizarre hairpieces, crazy stage makeup, and what not.

I guess fashion on runways is probably more of an art, a way for the designer to make a statement and show the world his/her creativity. Still, it makes me wonder how they come up with such stuff.


Needless to say, since fashion trends are somewhat of a mystery to me, there are several fashion fads I have and always will fail to comprehend.

Fashion trends I will never understand

1. Baggy low-rise jeans

I am ashamed to admit that I was once a follower of this misguided trend, way back when I was 13, young, and impressionable. I wore my ridiculously baggy jeans with such pride that I was blinded to its outright hideousness. Even dad tried to warn me - he commented that my jeans were so baggy, I didn't need a bag to put my stuff in; I could just slip them down the huge pockets on the side. Sadly, I was deluded enough to wear those jeans for quite some time - at least a few months. Total embarrassment, now that I look back on it.

2. High-waisted jeans

Otherwise known as 'mom jeans,' made even more infamous by poor Jessica Simpson and her awful choice of clothes on this particular day. However, moms all over the world still continue to don this tragically abominable piece of clothing. I don't know what goes through their minds when they actually put money down to purchase the jeans. No one should wear this. Well, unless they were outrageously model-skinny, then they could probably wear anything and get away with it.

3. Crocs

For the life of me, I cannot get the hype about Crocs. Okay, they're wildly comfortable and good for your feet... But so what?? I've never agreed with the statement that 'fashion is pain,' because I think you can be comfortable and still look good, but um, you don't need to go this far to achieve comfort. I don't care if they come in heels or pumps or flip flops, Crocs are appalling, plain and simple.

4. Center partings

Oh boy. I'm guilty of this too, way way WAY back in the day. Short hair parted down the middle, glasses, baggy clothes... I don't know what I was thinking. I mustn't have been thinking at all.
Center partings can look good on some people, but not all, and definitely not me.

5. Killer high heels

Just look at this pair of heels. It's ridiculous! How did the designer expect anyone to take a step in such absurdly high heels?? It's practically vertical. Even the poor female's foot looks like every single muscle is straining and crying out for release. I wince in pain just looking at it. Men are totally to blame for the increase in heel length over the years.

Even worse, this one does not have a heel in the back. Walking on tiptoes all day? So not ideal.

6. Jumpsuits/overalls

Ugly, that's all I have to say. Okay, I admit I chose these particular jumpsuits because they're more ghastly than normal plain ones, but still. It's hard to carry off the jumpsuit look. And even harder to go to the restroom when wearing one.

Overalls fall into the same category - they should be left for farmers, and farmers alone.

7. Shoulder pads

I just think they make shoulders look broad. Not so good if you've already got manly shoulders like I do (from an obsession with swimming back in the day).

Of course, they could be exaggerated to make a fashion statement like what Kim Kardashian did, but I'm still not a big fan. Shoulder pads should be left in the '80s, where they belong.

8. Headbands

They make your hair poof out on top like a muffin, and they give you headband hair when taken off. I don't really get headbands. But then again, I may or may not be a little envious that some people, like Nicole Ritchie, can carry off the look, while others, like me, cannot.

9. Sweatshirts and sweatpants

This outfit is tremendously popular among the college crowd, especially in America. Had a late night of partying or studying? Too tired or hungover to pick out a cute outfit? Too lazy to care?

Sweatshirt and sweatpants = default college outfit. 

Again, I admit I've worn sweatshirts and sweatpants to classes in the past, when I was too tired to take a shower or select a clean, decent-looking outfit. But to wear them every single day?? It's like everyone just blends into anonymity with their school logo sweatshirts and sweatpants. I don't get it; it's not that hard to dress up once in a while.

10. Popped collars

When I think 'popped collars,' I think 'poser.' It just comes across that way.


I confess that fashion fascinates me, but sometimes it doesn't make sense. That's the beauty and mystery of it, I guess.